Luth's nights were no longer restful. Each time he closed his eyes, he was haunted by dreams filled with ancient symbols and cryptic messages. The symbols glowed with an ethereal light, and the messages, though fragmented, seemed to call out to him.
Luth's nights were filled with dreams, dreams that felt more like memories. Each time he closed his eyes, he was transported to a vast hall with walls covered in glowing runes. These symbols pulsed with an ethereal light, whispering cryptic messages that echoed in his mind.
One particular night, the dreams became even more vivid. He stood in the hall, the air thick with ancient energy. A voice, deep and resonant, filled the space around him.
"Luth... Seek the past... Unlock the secrets..."
He awoke with a start, drenched in sweat, his heart pounding in his chest. The dreams were growing stronger, more insistent. They weren't just dreams—they were guiding him towards understanding the runes.
Determined to find answers, Luth knew he had to speak with Tiberius. The wise old man had hinted at the pen's power before, and Luth hoped he could shed light on the connection between his dreams and the runes.
He found Tiberius in the garden, tending to a patch of herbs. The old man looked up as Luth approached, his eyes twinkling with curiosity.
"Ah, young Hxavion. You look troubled. What brings you here?"
Luth sat down beside him, recounting the dreams in detail. "I keep seeing these symbols, Tiberius. They feel like memories, ancient and powerful. Do you know what they mean?"
Tiberius listened carefully, his expression thoughtful. "Dreams can be windows to the past, especially for those attuned to ancient magics. These symbols... they sound like the markings of a long-forgotten era."
Tiberius leaned back, gazing at the sky. "There was a time, long before our current understanding of spellcraft, when magic was wild and untamed. Runes were not just symbols; they were living, breathing entities that interacted with the world in ways we can barely comprehend today."
Luth felt a shiver run down his spine. "Do you think my pen is connected to that era?"
The old man nodded slowly. "It's possible. Your pen might be a relic from that time, a conduit for ancient magic. These dreams could be a way of the past communicating with you, guiding you to unlock the secrets it holds."
Determined to learn more, Luth returned to the library with a new focus. He needed to research the history of magic, to find any clues about the origins of the runes and the era Tiberius spoke of. Edris was there, as always, ready to assist.
"Edris, we need to find everything we can about the early history of magic," Luth said, urgency clear in his voice.
Edris nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I'll help. Let's start with the oldest texts we have."
They spent hours poring over ancient manuscripts and scrolls, many of which were written in languages barely recognizable. It was slow, painstaking work, but Luth's determination never wavered.
Late one night, as they were going through an especially old text, Edris found something. "Luth, look at this. It's a reference to the 'Era of Wild Magic.' It mentions runes and artifacts much like your pen."
Luth read the passage eagerly. It spoke of a time when mages wielded raw, unrefined magic through runes, their power limited only by their understanding and control. It also hinted at a great catastrophe that led to the runes being forgotten and forbidden.
"This is it," Luth whispered. "The era Tiberius mentioned. My pen, these runes... they're all connected to this forgotten past."
The realization was both exhilarating and overwhelming. Luth knew he was on the brink of something monumental. If he could fully understand the runes, he could potentially tap into a source of magic that had been lost for centuries.
But with this knowledge came a sense of responsibility. The ancient texts were clear about the dangers of such power. He needed to proceed with caution.
"Edris, we're dealing with forces beyond anything we've known," Luth said, his voice steady but filled with conviction. "We need to be careful, but we can't stop now. We're too close to uncovering something incredible."
Luth decided to share his findings with Tiberius. He found the old man in the garden again, and this time, Tiberius seemed to sense the weight of Luth's discovery.
"I've found references to the 'Era of Wild Magic,' just as you mentioned," Luth began. "My pen, these runes... they're all part of that ancient time."
Tiberius smiled, a look of pride and caution in his eyes. "You've done well, Luth. But remember, with great knowledge comes great responsibility. The power you seek is not to be taken lightly."
"I understand," Luth replied. "But I need to know more. I need to unlock the true potential of these runes."
As Luth delved deeper into his research, he couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. Elesila's betrayal had made him wary, and he knew he couldn't trust everyone around him.
He decided to keep his most significant findings to himself, even from Edris. "I have to be careful," he thought. "Not everyone will understand or accept what I'm doing."
Despite the secrecy, Edris remained a loyal ally, helping Luth whenever he could. They continued their research, uncovering more about the ancient era and the runes that defined it.
One night, as Luth was working late in the library, he had a sudden realization. The patterns he had been studying, the symbols in his dreams, they all pointed to a central truth: the runes were not just tools; they were a language. A language of magic that could reshape reality itself.
"This is it," he thought, his heart pounding. "The key to understanding the runes is to understand their language."
He worked feverishly, translating the runes into a coherent system. It was exhausting, but exhilarating work, and by dawn, he had made significant progress.